Pakistan is facing another major challenge, as reports suggest that the United Arab Emirates has expelled thousands of Pakistani Shia workers in recent weeks. The move has added fresh pressure on already strained relations between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi. It comes shortly after the UAE reportedly asked Pakistan to repay a $3.5 billion loan, according to reports cited by The New York Times.

Community leaders and clerics in Pakistan say the expulsions have affected thousands of families. The development could also create economic difficulties for Pakistan, which depends heavily on remittances sent by workers living in Gulf countries. The UAE is one of the largest sources of overseas income for Pakistan, making the situation more serious for the country’s already struggling economy.

According to a report by The New York Times, the deportation of Pakistani Shia workers has reportedly been taking place since at least mid-April. An Islamabad-based cleric associated with a Shia political organisation claimed that nearly 5,000 families have already been registered as affected by the expulsions.

Leaders from Shia-majority villages in northwestern Pakistan also said that around 900 men had returned from the UAE over the past few weeks. The reported action has raised concerns because nearly 2 million Pakistanis currently live and work in the UAE. Last year alone, these workers reportedly sent back nearly $8 billion in remittances, making the Gulf nation one of Pakistan’s biggest overseas income sources.

Reports indicate that the crackdown appears to be mainly focused on Pakistani Shia workers. According to The New York Times, Shia workers from countries such as Iraq and Lebanon were reportedly not targeted in the deportation drive. The newspaper also quoted eight business owners operating in the UAE, who said that several Pakistani employees had recently been expelled.

The tensions between Pakistan and the UAE had reportedly been building for more than a year. However, the ongoing conflict in West Asia is believed to have widened the gap further. Pakistan has tried to project itself as a mediator during the conflict and has pushed for negotiations and ceasefire efforts.

Reports suggest that the UAE was unhappy with Pakistan’s response during the conflict, particularly because Islamabad did not strongly condemn Iranian attacks on Emirati territory. During the conflict, Iran reportedly launched more missiles and drones at the UAE than at any other country in the region.

While Pakistan reportedly focused on diplomatic solutions and dialogue, the UAE is said to have preferred stronger military pressure against Iran. This difference in approach appears to have increased suspicion in Abu Dhabi that Pakistan was moving closer to Tehran politically.

Another factor reportedly affecting ties between the two countries is Pakistan’s growing closeness with Saudi Arabia. After the UAE sought repayment of the $3.5 billion loan, which is believed to be equal to nearly one-fifth of Pakistan’s foreign reserves, Saudi Arabia reportedly stepped in to support Islamabad financially.

According to reports, Riyadh granted Pakistan $3 billion in assistance and also extended an existing $5 billion loan for more than another year. This development is said to have added another layer of sensitivity to the already tense relationship between Pakistan and the UAE.

Last month, reports also emerged that Etisalat, a major UAE telecom company, was considering leaving Pakistan. The company currently owns a 26 per cent stake in Pakistan Telecommunications, which is the country’s largest telecom firm.

The recent deportations, combined with financial and diplomatic tensions, point to a growing strain between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi. The situation could have serious economic and political consequences for Pakistan if relations between the two countries continue to worsen.